My life verse (and the verse Surgeon based this lesson upon) is Romans 12:2. I chose this verse many years ago when I first became a Christian and I have tried to live it out ever since. Here is what it says,

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Rom. 12:2, ESV).”

I’ve often clung to the first half of the verse. I love it. Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…

So I read my Bible and trust…His word does not return void.

This morning as I read the text by Spurgeon I (once again) asked myself this question – the question Spurgeon poses – am I a marked and distinct Christian? Do people know what I am and Who I follow quickly after meeting me?

As I thought about this I thought – there are things that people notice about me right away:

1.  I have 5 children (who are almost always with me and if you know me you probably think “she is pregnant all the time” which you either think is crazy or wonderful depending on what you believe about children).

2.  I often dress very feminine – although I do wear my hair short (relatively – which might skew your opinion of me) and I do at times wear pants and jeans although never tight (I’m not legalistic about not wearing them).

3.  I tend to smile and laugh a lot when I’m talking to people – not because I find them funny (although sometimes), but because I enjoy smiling and laughing and I tend to think that if I’m smiling and laughing it is easier for people to see Christ in me and be drawn to Him. Plus it is a natural part of me now…it just happens.

4.  I’m in church nearly every Sunday – only missing because of sick children or being on vacation.

5.  I wear my babies in a sling.

6.  I am a keeper at home and I stay home a lot.

7.  I’m quiet, but I do try to make an effort to reach out and talk to people.

Hmmmm…what else…not all of these are things you would know/notice right away…I’m thinking visible things that people would immediately notice about me beyond how I look physically…I don’t know that I talk differently, but I do at times say things like “praise the Lord” or “Amen” or “what a blessing”. But, I am conscious of who I’m talking to so I’m not sure I do this with everyone.

Sigh. It seems there should be more outward signs…

Yesterday in the mail we received cookie cutters and a pumpkin carving kit from my mom. Sigh. The cookie cutters were in the shapes of ghosts and witches and brooms, one even said BOO. From Crate and Barrel no less – Sigh. I guess the outward signs are not enough because she doesn’t even realize that we don’t celebrate Halloween. We haven’t for over 10 years. Sigh. Granted she lives in another state and has never been with us on the 31^st, but, still… surely I’ve told her over the years…the kids were asking, “What are we going to do with this stuff?” I didn’t know how to answer. I hate that she probably spent $25-$30 on the stuff and I’m never going to use it…but I won’t. The question is will I keep it?

This year I’ve joined two home school groups. While visiting one for the first time I was talking to Mark on the phone and he asked me if the group was “Amish or Worldly” which is kind of our joke.  (If you don’t understand this, ask me and I’ll explain it.) I had to answer worldly.  No Amish in sight. Well, maybe one. Oddly enough I found myself wishing there were a few more Amish looking people. I tend more and more in that direction though I am not Amish by any means.  I find myself wanting to see and feel some outward Christian distinction in people.

None of the outward signs I listed above make me a Christian or tell others that I am one. And yet, there have been people that I’ve known right away to be believers – why?  Not necessarily because of their dress, but because of something in their countenance. (This is what I want.) A shining, a light, a joy…

(Please Note - In the passage above Spurgeon is primarily talking about Christians compromising their faith – not about the way we dress – I’ve taken you in a different direction along with my own thoughts this morning – but if you are conforming to the world by following in the sins of the world – which I don’t think I need to list - please take Spurgeon’s advice and turn away from them…if you are a Christian, be a Christian, and be a marked and distinct one.)

Behold the man!  - John 19:5

If we would sit more often at the foot of the cross, we would be less troubled with our doubts and sorrows.  If we see His sorrows, we will be ashamed to mention our sorrows.  If we but gaze into His wounds, our wounds will be healed.  If we want to live right, it must be by the contemplation of His death.  If we want to rise to dignity, it must be by considering His humiliation and sorrow.    

 –Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Morning & Evening

Spurgeon on the church's love for Christ then and now: 

They were people who knew the love of Christ and rested on it as a man leans on a staff whose dependability he has proven.  The love that they felt toward the Lord was not a quiet emotion that they hid within themselves in a secret room in their souls.  They did not speak of it only in their private meetings when they gathered on the first day of the week and sang hymns in honor of Christ Jesus, the Crucified One.  Instead, it was a passion of such fervid, all-consuming energy that it was visible in all their actions, spoken of in their daily conversation, and unmistakably seen in their eyes, even in their casual glances.  Love for Jesus was a flame that fed on the core and heart of their being; therefore, from its own force, it burned its way into the outer man and shone there.  Zeal for the glory of King Jesus was the seal and mark of all genuine Christians.  Because of their dependence on Christ’s love, they dared much; because of their love for Christ, they did much, and it is the same now.  The children of God are ruled in their inmost powers by love:  the love of Christ drives them.   –Charles H. Spurgeon

Come in, O strong and deep love of Jesus, like the sea at the flood in spring tides.  Cover all my powers, drown all my sins, wash out all my cares, lift up my earthbound soul, and float it right up to my Lord’s feet.  There let me lie, a poor broken shell, washed up by His love, having no virtue or value, only venturing to whisper to Him that if He will put His ear to me, He will hear within my heart faint echoes of the vast waves of His own love that have brought me where it is my delight to lie, even at His feet forever.

                                           -Charles H. Spurgeon                      

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!

O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!

All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;

Join me in glad adoration!

Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,

Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!

Hast thou not seen how thy desires all have been

Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!

All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him!

Let the “amen” sound from His people again;

Gladly forever adore Him!

-Joachim Neander (Hymn)

There is a lighthouse out at sea. It is a calm night; I cannot tell whether the edifice is firm.  The tempest must rage about it, and then, I will know whether it will stand.  So it is with the Spirit’s work.  If it were not on many occasions surrounded with tempestuous waters, we would not know that it was true and strong; if the winds did not blow on it, we would not know how firm and secure it was.  The masterpieces of God are those who stand steadfast and unmovable in the midst of difficulties—“Calm mid the bewildering cry, confident of victory.”  He who would glorify his God must set his account on meeting with many trials…If yours, then, is a much tried path, rejoice in it, because you will all the better show forth the all-sufficient grace of God. As for His failing you, never dream of it—hate the thought.  The God who has been sufficient until now should be trusted to the end. 

                                           -Charles Haddon Spurgeon

You can read it all here.

He also writes, “God’s grace is illustrated and magnified in the poverty and trials of believers.”

I read these words this morning and immediately thought about saving them to pass on to Mark (to use in a Sunday lesson) but then I thought I should share it with you as well…

Would that trials were not necessary, but bless the Lord that they are for otherwise we would not know the true extent of our faith.

From Morning & Evening by Charles Haddon Spurgeon: